Celtic Woman at Memorial Auditorium

photo The women of Celtic Woman are, from left, Susan McFadden, Lisa Lambe, Chloe Agnew and Máiréad Nesbitt.

IF YOU GOWhat: Celtic WomanWhen: 8 p.m. Friday, April 19Where: Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.Admission: $31-$101 (plus fees)Phone: 423-642-TIXSWebsite: www.ChattanoogaOnStage.com

At a recent performance in Buffalo, N.Y., Celtic Woman earned praise from a Buffalo News reviewer for the "big, shiny, beautiful product" assembled by its producers.

Celtic Woman, the "product" here, is both a band and a show. The all-female Irish ensemble is also a public television sensation and the force behind more than 6 million CDs/DVDs sold worldwide, two Top 10 album debuts on the Billboard Top 200 chart, three gold and platinum albums, four Top 5 releases on the Billboard Top Videos chart and more than 1.7 million concert tickets sold.

The show stops Friday, April 19, at Memorial Auditorium. The evening will feature traditional Irish tunes ("The Water Is Wide," "Green Grow the Rushes"), timeless pop anthems ("Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Sailing") and inspirational songs ("You'll Never Walk Alone," "Ave Maria"). Also included are such fan favorites as "You Raise Me Up" and "Orinoco Flow."

There are four leads with the current tour: vocalists Chloe Agnew, Lisa Lambe and Susan McFadden, along with fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt. Each of the leads has spotlight songs, and the vocalists contribute harmony work within the ensemble. They are backed by a four-person chorus and six-piece band.

The show is produced by Sharon Browne and David Downes. Browne conceived the show in 2004, the story goes, after a PBS executive told her there was marketing potential in "Charlotte Church meets Enya meets Sarah Brightman." The Emmy-nominated Downes is a former musical director for Celtic Woman's dance predecessor, Riverdance.

Upcoming Events